We took a trip out to CA the middle of May to visit Katie, Jonathan and the kids, as well as babysit Ella and Ty while Katie and Brian went to a wedding a few hours away from Katie & Jonathan's house. Calvin's last day was the day before we left, so he was good and relaxed and ready to have 5 kids under 4 in a 2 bedroom apartment for 4 days!
Jocelyn was so excited to go see Abel! It was her first plane ride since she was 2 months old, and was super excited for that. She did great on the plane - I think it was a bit anti-climatic for her. I think she thought it was going to be really fun, when really it's just a bigger car ride. She did like the bathrooms though. And the fact that you got soda and pretzels and that the ice was really fun to stick your straw thru.
We arrived on a Wednesday and stayed at a hotel the first night. We were supposed to be on the flight with Katie and Brian, but their flight from Grand Forks was delayed, so they got in later. Thursday morning we headed over to Katie & Jonathan's where everyone had been awake since 5 and no one had slept very good the night before. Glad we got a hotel! Brian and Katie gave us quick 5 minute instructions, and they were out of there! (Not that I blame them - I would have done the same thing)
We finally got to meet Elias - he is just the sweetest, laid back baby ever. Full of smiles!
We had to do something out of the house every day or we would have gone crazy. The first day we walked to a park not too far from their house. It was a really nice park, and the rain held off so we were able to stay for a while and play.
The 3 big kids had a lot of fun playing - it was great to have them all together. Ella loved the horsey and the teeter totter - said "Wheeee!" over and over while she was riding them.
They have a little parking lot at the back of their driveway that was perfect for riding bikes and playing outside. Ella loved to try and escape down the driveway - she's fast for a tiny girl.
Abel really liked Jocelyn's camera. He didn't like to hold it the right way most of the time, but he did take a few cute ones!
I think Jocey took this one
The babies were great - they're both good babies and are easily entertained by the big kids. Ty really likes to grab stuff, so poor Elias got clocked a few times.
Phones and iPads are lifesavers
Abel and Jocelyn both really like to color. Abel also likes to eat markers.
It definitely wasn't a sleep filled weekend. Ella was up around 5 every morning, and Jocelyn was up not too long after. Abel, Ella and Jocelyn were all going to sleep in Abel's room. The babies slept in the dining room and the living room, and Calvin and I slept in the living room. I thought Jocelyn would probably wake up and cry because she didn't know where she was, so she ended up sleeping in the living room with us too. But, they were good about watching cartoons while I fed Ty and woke up. It's amazing how fast you get used to good sleep!
Even after being married for 8 years, it still amazes me that he can sleep like this. All the kids were up, and none of them are exactly quiet. He slept for at least 2 hours!
Friday we went to a children's museum. We got lost on the way there, but got to drive across the Golden Gate Bridge, so that was fun! The museum was great, and a lot of it was outside (oh the perks of living somewhere warm!) We didn't even get to most of it because the kids were so content playing with things for a while.
We probably could have stayed all day at this exhibit. You could stand at one end and put rubber frogs and fish down the water, then follow them downstream. Abel loves the water!
We had lunch outside, and the birds were obnoxious! They flew right on the table several times and stole our crackers and sandwiches.
Jocelyn was such a big helper. I seriously could not have done it without her! She entertained Abel and Ella, and was always talking to the babies if they started to cry. She's really growing up and seemed so much bigger after spending time with the littles.
Jonathan had to work Thursday and Friday, so he missed out on some of the wild and craziness!
Saturday we went to a picnic in a park that their church was having. The girls had a blast on the playground, and the food was awesome! Way better than any Midwest church picnic!
Trying to get a picture of the babies was no small feat.
Us and our fake kids for the weekend. Some lady at the park asked how it was having 3 kids. I quickly told her they weren't all mine....
Thank goodness for blankies, patchys, and Elmo!
The adults. Jonathan and Calvin went to an outdoor market Saturday morning and got us some delicious fresh fish for dinner. Yet another perk of living where it's warm - the outdoor market was awesome. The fresh fruit and veggies and fish....
Sunday we went to the beach! The water wasn't all that warm, but that didn't stop Jocelyn from jumping right in!
Sunday afternoon Katie and Brian came back from the wedding. Ella was so excited to see them - she screamed really high and loud!
Sunday night Brian, Katie and the kids stayed at a hotel. So Monday morning we slept in a bit, and Katie and Jocelyn made us waffles! Before we left Jocelyn was super excited to have a sleepover with Abel and Ella. Both Abel and Ella had gotten a cold and cough, so sleeping arrangements changed, and they never did all 3 sleep in the same room. So of course Sunday night she was upset that they didn't get to have one. "But Mama, we didn't even get to have a sleepover! At a sleepover you have water and cupcakes and watch TV!" So we had waffles, water and watched TV in the morning. :)
Monday morning we headed back to the beach. Our flight left in the afternoon, and we wanted to get one more trip in before we left.
Abel wasn't too sure about the water on Sunday, but when everyone else was there on Monday, he got a little braver and went in to his knees!
Poor Ella still wasn't feeling well, so she didn't want to do much in the water. She loved playing in the sand though!
Katies and babies
Plane ride home...she was all pictured out
We had a great time seeing everyone and getting all 5 kiddos together. It was tiring, but I loved every second of it! We didn't get to see much of Katie and Brian, but we see them quite a bit here. They stayed until Thursday and spent time with Katie and Jonathan (but slept at a hotel). I wish they lived closer, but it's nice they live somewhere that's so fun to visit!
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